LYCOPODIUM. 189 



close to the axis of the spike, are roundish kidney- shaped, 

 and of a yellow colour. The bracts become reflexed after 

 the spores have been dispersed. The plants are firmly fixed 

 to the soil, by means of tough strong wiry branched roots, 

 produced at intervals along the prostrate stems. 



The head-quarters of this species is in elevated mountainous 

 tracts. It occurs very abundantly in Scotland and "Wales ; 

 frequently in the hills of the north of England ; and is less 

 common in Ireland. It also occurs throughout the alpine 

 districts of Europe and Northern Asia. 



The Savin-leaved Club -moss is a bitter plant, with a 

 somewhat aromatic flavour, and possesses emetic properties ; 

 it is, however, seldom applied to any use. Sir W. J. 

 Hooker mentions having seen it used in Iceland as a dye 

 for woollen cloths, to which it gives a pale and pleasant but 

 not brilliant yellow. The process is simply that of boiling 

 the cloth in water, along with a quantity of the Lycopodium, 

 and some leaves of the Bog Whortleberry. 



LYCOPODIUM ANNOTINUM, Linnceus. Interrupted Club- 

 moss. 



A very distinct plant, easily recognized by the inter- 

 rupted leafing of its stems, the leaves being at intervals 

 much diminished in size and less spreading in their direc- 



